JP2729403B2 - Copier - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine provided with an automatic document circulation device and a copy paper finishing device.

[Conventional technology]

Of the two devices attached to the copying machine, the former automatic document circulation device sequentially feeds the documents on the document storage plate one by one and passes the document scanning section for exposure on the copying device body side. Thereafter, the original is returned to the document storage table, and when a copy of a predetermined number of copies is partially completed, when the copy of a part or more is performed, the document feeding is started again, and the document is returned to the document storage table. The document circulation cycle is repeated.

Here, for example, assuming that, for example, using a manuscript of the first page to the tenth page to make 20 copies of copy paper, the manuscripts of the first to tenth pages are sequentially fed. While scanning the document, the document is returned to the document storage table, and such a series of document circulation cycles is repeated 20 times. After all, from page 1 to
A total of 20 copies of 10 copy sheets of up to 10 pages (hereinafter referred to as "partial copy sheets") are obtained. In addition, such an automatic document circulator is an RDH (Recycle
Document Handler).

The latter copy paper finishing processing device attached to the copying apparatus main body is configured to set a set number of copies (10 copy sheets from page 1 to page 10 in the above example) of a part of the copied copy paper (the above example). In this case, the finishing process is performed for each part according to 20 copies. This is also called "finisher".

As a copy paper finishing processing device, the above-described copy paper of a unit is bound with staples, or
There may be mentioned ones that make holes (punch holes), fold paper, etc., or ones that can perform these functions in a complex manner. The description will be continued by taking as an example a copy paper finishing processing apparatus that binds copy paper.

In a copying apparatus equipped with such a copy paper finishing processing apparatus, when obtaining, for example, 20 copies of a unit of copy paper stapled with staples, provided on an operation panel of the copying apparatus main body, After pressing the mode instruction button for executing staple binding or specifying the specified number of copies "20" with the numeric keypad, pressing the print button allows the automatic document circulation device (RDH) described above to operate. The document circulation of some units is conveniently performed 20 times, and at the same time, copying is performed in the copying machine main body. From the copy paper finishing processor, 20 copies each stapled with each staple are output. Will come.

However, if the person in charge of copying makes a mistake in the specification mode, for example, a wrong number of binding sheets is specified, or a stapling position of a staple is wrongly specified. If two bindings are specified, but one binding is specified, or if the specification specification mode for the copier body such as enlargement, reduction, double-sided original, etc. is specified incorrectly, the Of the 20 copies that came in, all were wasted or had to be rebound.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Conventionally, when such a series of specification modes are initially set, the automatic document circulation apparatus, the copying apparatus main body, the copy paper finishing processing apparatus, and the like operate continuously, and the above-described inconvenience occurs. It was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus capable of solving the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention sequentially feeds documents on a document storage table one by one and passes the documents through a document scanning unit for exposure on the side of a copying apparatus main body. Thereafter, when the copy is returned to the document storage table and the copying of a part of the number of copies is completed, when a copy of a part or more is performed, the document circulation is started again by feeding the document again and returning to the document storage table. An automatic document circulating apparatus that repeats a cycle and a copy paper finishing processing apparatus that finishes a part of the copied copy paper of a part unit according to a set number of copies for each part are provided. Means for detecting completion of the finishing of the copy paper of the first partial unit, and, based on the detection by the detecting means, temporarily stop the automatic document circulation apparatus, the copying apparatus main body and the copy paper finishing processing apparatus, respectively. Hand to make The present invention proposes a configuration provided with a step and means for making a person in charge of copying recognize that finishing of the copy paper of the first partial unit is completed based on the detection.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of an electrophotographic copying apparatus, 2 denotes an automatic document circulation device (RDH) installed on an upper portion of the copying apparatus main body 1, and 3 denotes one side of the copying apparatus main body 1. 1 shows a copy paper finishing apparatus to which a section is connected.

An operation panel unit 4 is provided on the upper part of the main body of the copier main body 1 facing the person in charge of copying, and includes a print button 5, a numeric keypad 6, a specification mode designation unit 7 as shown in FIG. And a liquid crystal display unit 8 are provided.
The specification mode designation section 7 includes a finisher mode designation button 7A for performing binding with staples.
Or a doggy mode designation button 7B for sorting by shifting the copy paper for each unit, or inserting a cover sheet at a desired position (such as before the first page or at the last page). And a designation button (not shown) for executing various other modes such as enlargement / reduction, single-sided copying, and double-sided copying.

Now, suppose that the manuscript from page 1 to page 10 is used and 20
To obtain copy paper for each copy, enter these numbers on the numeric keypad 6
And press the finisher mode designation button 7A. Another button is used to specify whether the stapling position of the staples is to be one or two. Furthermore, when performing single-sided copying, double-sided copying, reduced copying, enlarged copying, etc.,
A designated mode button for executing these modes is selected and pressed.

Further, when a mode in which copying is performed using a two-sided original is designated, and a cover sheet is to be inserted before a copy sheet of a part unit, the cover sheet insertion mode designation button 7C is pressed.

Here, the document to be copied is circulated in the automatic document circulation device 2 as follows.

In FIG. 3, a single-sided copy mode is designated, and a plurality of single-sided originals 11 are placed on a document storage table 10 assuming that a single-sided original is used. For example, in the automatic document circulating apparatus 2 of this embodiment, first, the first
The document of the page is placed with the image portion facing down, and the document of the second page is placed thereon with the image portion facing down, and this state continues to the last page. After all, in this case, the one-sided original of the first page is located at the bottom, and the one-sided original of the last page is located at the top.

Then, the original is sequentially fed from the first page by the lower feeding roller 12. Reference numeral S designates a document scanning area for exposure on the copying apparatus main body side. After passing through this portion, the document is sent in the direction of arrow E, and then reversed in the direction of arrow F to reverse the document storage table. Returned to 10. After scanning the originals, the originals are stored in the original storage table 10 with the image side facing down.However, in a state in which copying in a unit has been completed, the originals are arranged in the same page order as before. It will be placed on the storage stand 10.

During this time, as will be described later, the copy paper finishing device 3
In (FIG. 1), a mode in which a copy paper of a part unit is bound with staples is executed.

When copying of a part or more is completed at the point of time when copying of a part number is completed, the original is again fed sequentially from the lower side by the lower feeding roller 12, and a series of these circulation cycles is repeated. In the case of division designation, it is repeated 20 times for convenience.

Here, in FIG.
13 is provided to be able to advance and retreat from the side. That is, in FIG. 4, it is assumed that one side of the document 11 in a partial unit (for example, the document from the first page to the last page) placed on the document storage table 10 is a portion indicated by the symbol A, and Then, a part of the original is placed on the original storage table 10, and then the first
When the print button 5 shown in the figure is pressed, the partitioning claw 13 retracts in the direction of the arrow a, and then rises in the direction b by driving means such as a solenoid or a cam. The original of the page is put on the upper surface of the side edge by its own weight.

When the originals are sent one after another and gradually decrease, the partitioning claw 13 descends by its own weight, and the original of the last page is
After being sent from the document storage board 10, the claw 13 turns on or off the switch 14 shown in FIG. In any case, by the generation of the switching signal from the switch 14, it is possible to detect that the document circulation of the first partial unit is completed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a copy paper finishing apparatus. In this embodiment, the copy paper finishing apparatus performs binding of a copy sheet with staples.

The copied copy paper exiting from the copying apparatus main body 1 (FIG. 1) advances in the direction of arrow d and enters the copy paper finishing apparatus 3. This copy paper finishing device 3
When the copy paper is fed to the next unit (for example, a sorter) as it is, the copy paper that has entered the copy paper finishing device 3 passes through the copy paper path 15 and is discharged as it is in the direction of arrow e. Is done.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the copy paper path 15 is provided with a plurality of approach rollers and side stoppers for approaching and aligning the copy paper to the back side.
The rear side stoppers are arranged parallel to each other in the front-rear direction at an interval of 30 mm, and the front side stopper can be retracted into the passage 15.If necessary, move the copy paper to either side stopper. Can be. Two sensors 132 and 133 are provided in the copy paper path 15, and whether or not the copy paper has passed normally is determined based on the passage time of the copy paper between them.

In the case where the copy paper is guided and stored in the interior of the copy paper finishing processing device 3 without being discharged to the outside, or the above-described binding mode is executed, the copy paper is moved by the deflection claw 16 to advance the copy paper. Change direction and copy paper path 17
It is led toward.

When the copy paper is guided to the discharge tray 32 as it is without performing the binding described above, the copy paper is transferred to the copy paper path 17.
Through the copy paper path 18, the paper is fed by a pair of transport rollers 19, 20 toward between a pair of downstream transport rollers 24, 25, and the transport rollers feed the copy paper path.
Arrow B from between the pair of paper discharge rollers 29 and 30 through the part 28
And is stored on the paper discharge tray 32. At this time, the switching claw 26 occupies the position shown in FIG.

The upper surface of the copy paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 32 is detected by the sensor 138, and the operation of the paper discharge tray 32 in the vertical direction is controlled so that the upper surface of the stacked copy paper is always at a fixed position.

In the case of the binding mode described above, the deflecting pawl 22 is switched to the position shown in FIG. 6, and the copy sheet is guided by the deflecting pawl 22 and has a row of projections on the outer peripheral surface. Endless belt rotating normally in the direction of the arrow
It is sent in the direction of arrow H from between 23 and the transport roller 19,
The staple is bound on a staple binding table 33 composed of a fixed table 33A and a movable table 33B. In this mode, when the copy paper passes through the copy paper path 15, the copy paper is moved only by the side stopper located on the near side.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 34 denotes a stapler, which is movable in the direction shown by the arrow and in the direction perpendicular to the figure according to the size of the copy paper. It has two staplers, a first stapler and a second stapler, and each stapler can move independently in the vertical direction. The movable table 33B can move in the direction of the arrow in conjunction with the movement of the stapler 34.

5 and 6, the copy paper discharged in the direction of arrow H and placed on the staple binding table 33 is
The stapler 34 moves to the target binding position with the copy paper 100 aligned in the alignment stopper member 35 and all of the copy paper 100 of the partial unit resting on the staple binding table 33. The paper is bound by the staples. In this case, only one place may be bound, or two places may be bound.

When the binding is completed, the alignment stopper member 35 is retracted to the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. The copy paper discharged in the H direction is placed one by one on the staple stapling table 33 on the front side of the staple stapling table 33 by the rotation of the shift belt 36 shown in FIG. It is adapted to be brought closer to the stopper and aligned. As a result, the copy paper of a part unit is aligned and bound by the alignment stopper member 35 and the side stopper (not shown). The shift belt 23 is not shown in FIG. 6 to avoid congestion in the drawing.

The relay unit 37 including the pair of transport rollers 24 and 25, the switching claw 26, and the like is held at the position shown in FIG. 6, and the bound copy paper 100 is fixed by the retreat operation of the alignment stopper member 35. Sliding on table 33A, relay unit 3
It is held between the pair of transport rollers 24 and 25 of FIG.

The rollers 24 and 25 are driven to rotate in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 6 when the copy paper 100 is fed to the position indicated by the phantom line in FIG. After that, when the copy paper 100 has advanced a predetermined distance, the rotation of both rollers is stopped, and the copy paper 100 is temporarily stopped at this position. Of the pair of transport rollers 24, 25, the roller 25 is urged in the direction of the arrow f by the elastic force of a spring (not shown), so that it can cope with the difference in the thickness of the copy paper in a part unit. . The switching claw 26 occupies the position shown in FIG. 6 which does not prevent the copy paper 100 from entering.

As shown in FIG. 6, the relay unit 37 pivots counterclockwise in the figure around the pivot 38 in a state where the copy paper 100 of a part unit stops at the imaginary line position, and moves to the position shown in FIG. It is designed to stop.

In this state, the pair of transport rollers 24 and 25
Is placed at a position facing the pair of paper discharge rollers 29, 30. Next, the transport rollers 24 and 25 on the side of the relay unit 37 rotate in the opposite direction this time, and along with this,
100 is sent out from the relay unit 37 and the discharge rollers 29, 30
And is stored in the paper discharge tray 32.

By repeating such a series of operation cycles for the set number of times, the set number of copy sheets are stacked and stored on the sheet discharge tray 32. Also in this case, the output tray 32 is provided with a sensor so that the upper surface of the stacked copy paper is always held at a fixed position.
By being detected by 138, the vertical position can be changed. Further, a paper discharge tray unit 39 (FIG. 5) including the paper discharge tray 32 and the like can be pulled out to the front side of the drawing so that the stacked and stored copy sheets can be easily taken out. For this purpose, the slide rail 130,
131 are provided.

Here, if the person in charge of copying makes a mistake in the specification of the specification mode for finishing or copying, for example, as described above, the binding person may incorrectly specify the number of sheets to be bound in some units, or In the case where the stapling position of the staples is designated as an incorrect position, or the designation of the reduced copy is designated as the designation of the enlarged copy, conventionally, the copy paper finishing apparatus 3 as described above is used. The finishing process is performed continuously for the set number of copies, so the copy paper of the set number of copies that has come out is wasted or must be rebound. I had to.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem.

Here, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, various specification modes are designated by the respective buttons of the specification mode designation unit 7 and the number of copies is designated by the ten keys 6. When the print button 5 is pressed after completion, the document is repeatedly circulated in the automatic document circulating device 2 as described above, and a series of copying operations are performed in the copying device main body 1, and the copy paper finishing process is performed. In the apparatus 3, finishing processing of copy paper such as binding of staples is performed.

By the way, as described above, the switch 14 shown in FIG. 3 detects the end of the original document circulation cycle of the first partial unit.
When an appropriate timer is activated after the switching signal is output and a time limit signal is output from the timer after a lapse of time such that the binding of the copy paper in a part unit is completed, the automatic document circulation device 2 and the copying device are output. The apparatuses such as the main body 1 and the copy paper finishing apparatus 3 are temporarily stopped in operation. As a means for bringing such an operation stop state, an electric control means or another known means can be employed. Until the binding of some units is completed, the next automatic document circulation by the automatic document circulation device 2 and the corresponding copying operation on the copying apparatus side are not performed.

By the way, the switch 14 and the timer described above constitute an example of a means for detecting that the finishing of the copy paper of the first partial unit is completed. On the liquid crystal display unit 8 shown in FIG. 2, for example, a message such as “Please confirm that the binding of the copy paper is correctly performed” is displayed.

By looking at this, the person in charge of copying can recognize that the finishing of the copy paper of a part unit has been completed. Then, a copy unit of the copy paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 32 shown in FIG. 5 is taken out, and it is checked whether the copy paper is bound according to the specification designation mode.

If there is no abnormality, the print button 5 is pressed again. Thereafter, the remaining set number of copies is added, and the above-described series of operations in each device are performed. On the other hand, if there is any abnormality, the setting of the specification mode is redone, and the print button 5 is pressed again.
Thereafter, the above-described series of operations in each device are performed.
In this way, even if the person in charge of copying specifies the selection of the specification mode or the number of binding sheets by mistake, only a part of the copy paper is wasted, and a large amount of miscopying occurs. Getting out is avoided.

In addition, based on the above-described detection, as a means for notifying the person in charge of copying that the finishing of the copy paper of the first partial unit has been completed, in addition to the display method described above, a notice to that effect is given. For example, a method of generating a sound or a notification sound such as “Pee” may be used. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a copy paper finishing processing apparatus of a type in which binding is performed by staples is applied. However, punch holes are formed, or paper is folded, and a series of these functions are combined. The present invention is also applicable to an apparatus using a copy paper finishing apparatus to be executed.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the configuration of the present invention, when a set of copy sheets can be obtained over a plurality of copies, a copy technician specifies a setting mode such as a specification mode relating to copying and finishing to an incorrect mode. However, only a part of the copy paper is wasted, and the occurrence of a large number of erroneous copies can be avoided, which greatly contributes to a reduction in copy cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a copying apparatus provided with an automatic document circulating apparatus and a copy paper finishing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel section installed on the upper part of the main body of the copying apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a document circulation system in the automatic document circulation device. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of moving a partition claw of the automatic document circulation device. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copy paper conveyance direction switching mechanism and the like in the automatic document circulating apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a state in which a relay unit of the same mechanism is switched to a discharge mode position side. FIG. 7 is an operational view from FIG. 2. Document automatic circulation device 3. Copy paper finishing device 8. Liquid crystal display unit 10, Document storage table 13. Partition claw, 14. Switch

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An original is sequentially fed one by one one by one from a document storage table, passes through a document scanning section for exposure on a copying apparatus main body side, and then returns to the document storage table to copy a unit number of copies. When the copying operation for a part or more of the original document is completed, the original document feeding is started again, and the original document circulating cycle for repeating the document circulating cycle for returning the document to the document storage table is repeated. Finishing of the first copy of copy paper is completed in a copy machine with a copy paper finisher that finishes a copy of copy paper of a part unit according to the set number of copies. Means for detecting that the automatic document circulation apparatus, the copying apparatus main body, and the copy paper finishing processing apparatus have been temporarily stopped based on the detection by the detection means. Unit copy paper Copying machine finishing is so composed and means allowed to recognize the copying person that it has ended.